It is not often you see a lady in charge of a rugby match, but young Claire Daniels is an official of true potential who is already refereeing at Level 5, which is the level that St. Ives play at.

The sports journalist, who is based in Somerset, impressed last season when officiating in Cornwall, and was a guest of the Cornish Pirates last Sunday when they played Pertemps Bees at the Recreation Ground, Camborne.

Claire, who also refereed in the Women's World Cup in Canada last summer, attended the National One game on Sunday to enable her to observe referees at that level and to listen to the match officials communicating during the game.

One of the touch judges on duty, Steve Leyshon, is a National Referee Panel Development Manager who suggested the idea to help Claire's development, her also looked after on the day by Ian Hamilton, President of the Cornwall Rugby Referee's Society.

Graham Paul (Pirates), Steve Leyshon, Claire Daniels, Kevin Obern (touch judge), Ian Hamilton.
Photo Big Brian